Grading

As all the two. Bundesliga golf equipment relaxation over the Christmas break in preparation for the start of the rückrunde (begin of the second half of the season) in January, we glance again on the primary half of the season and assess how every membership’s marketing campaign goes to date. 

Right here is the GGFN’s mid-season 2. Bundesliga assessment and grades. 

1.FC Köln

Present place: 1st 

Present prime goalscorer: Tim Lemperle (8)

Grade: B

Even just a few weeks in the past, it wasn’t clear who can be sitting prime at Christmas however after 4 consecutive wins, Köln lead what’s already an extremely contested 2. Bundesliga. It’s a implausible achievement for the membership contemplating they’ve been beneath a switch ban and beneath new management this season in Gerhard Struber. Köln had a tough begin to life within the second tier and didn’t actually discover any momentum till late October. Since then, they’re unbeaten in 9 and in addition discover themselves within the quarter-finals of the DFB Pokal. Count on Köln to be lively within the January switch window (lastly) and add to their already stable squad. There have been rumours surrounding the way forward for prime goalscorer Tim Lemperle, but when they’ll hold him till a minimum of the summer season, Köln may discover themselves again within the Bundesliga. Total, causes to be cheerful for Köln! 

Karlsruher SC

Present place: 2nd

Present prime goalscorer: Budu Zivzivadze (12)

Grade: B+

Consistency has all the time been a problem for KSC, a poor Hinrunde can be rescued by an excellent Rückrunde however it might all the time go away them mid-table. This season is completely different, Karlsruhe have been unbeaten till late October and regardless of a one win in six-game run, the character of the two.Bundesliga this season meant they lose contact with the highest three. Two wins to finish the 12 months meant KSC discover themselves within the promotion locations heading into the Ruckrunde. The stress surrounding the larger golf equipment round them within the desk might play into their favour in terms of the later levels of the season. It additionally helps that Karslruhe’’s captain Marvin Wanitzek is among the greatest gamers within the league to date with eight assists and 6 objectives, whereas Georgia striker Budu Zivzivadze is the league’s prime goalscorer. Unlikes different groups (see beneath), Karlsruhe have caught by head coach Christian Eichner, whereas he has caught by the membership, regardless of his rising inventory and the pair at the moment are reaping the rewards. KSC’s fundamental difficulty heading into the second half of the season shall be sureing up their defence as they’ve the joint worst purpose distinction within the prime 10. 

Hamburger SV

Present place: third

Present prime goalscorer: Davie Selke (10)

Grade: C+ 

Once more for HSV, it’s been in regards to the lack of consistency. It’s been their historical past for the previous seven years and whether or not historical past will repeat itself, we’ll most probably be left ready till the ultimate day of the marketing campaign. HSV have solely misplaced thrice this season however it’s the 7 attracts that has been their downfall to date. HSV went 4 video games and not using a win throughout late October and early November which led to Steffen Baumgart getting the sack. Merlin Polzin now leads the facet on an interim foundation and it’s been a blended bag with attracts towards Ulm and Darmstadt and wins towards Fürth and Karlsruher. HSV’s first recreation again within the new 12 months is towards league-leaders Köln. You are feeling the result of this recreation will actually decide whether or not HSV are searching for the trophy or simply any type of promotion. After all there’ll be many twists and turns to come back however it’s an enormous alternative they’ll’t afford to overlook. In a league the place consistency is half the battle, HSV have some work to do. They’re in hanging distance however will they make the ultimate hurdle in just a few months time? 

Elversberg 

Present place: 4th

Present prime goalscorer: Fisnik Asllani (10)

Grade: A

Elversberg are of their second season within the 2.Bundesliga and are inside touching distance of the promotion locations. A win on their closing matchday of the 12 months would have meant they ended the Hinrunde prime of the desk. The key to Elversberg’s rise is their defence, they’ve the third least quantity of objectives conceded within the league and have additionally saved six clear sheets. They’ve constructed this facet with consistency within the dugout with Horst Steffen in his seventh 12 months in cost, main the membership from the Regionalliga to their present positioning, in addition to good recruiting with Fisnik Asllani, Muhmammed Damar (each Hoffenheim) and Elias Baum (Eintracht Frankfurt) all becoming a member of on mortgage and enjoying necessary roles. Elversberg have expertise in successful league titles as they received the three.Liga in 2022/23 so that they know learn how to hold their cool, however the query is, within the chaos of the two.Bundesliga, can they hold their cool and do the unthinkable and get promoted to the Bundesliga? The dream of Regionalliga to Bundesliga in 4 seasons is certainly on. 

Magdeburg

Present place: fifth 

Present prime goalscorer: Martijn Kaars (7)

Grade: C+ 

A degree inside second place, it’s been a implausible hinrunde for Magdeburg. Just like others round them, FCM have struggled for consistency and dropped factors towards golf equipment on the different finish of the desk. Having stated that, they’ve solely misplaced thrice this season and completed 2024 with a wonderful 5-2 win towards table-rivals Fortuna Düsseldorf. The massive alarm for Magdeburg is that they have the worst house document within the league. From 8 house matches, they received none, drew six, and misplaced two. In distinction, they’ve the perfect away document successful seven, drew one, and misplaced one. It’s a statistic which is nearly arduous to get your head round. If simply a few these house attracts have been transformed into wins, Magdeburg can be flying excessive in first. Total, Magdeburg have put themselves in an excellent place for promotion; they simply must drastically enhance their hom kind. 

SC Paderborn

Present place: sixth

Present prime goalscorer: Filip Bilbja (5)

Grade: B

Paderborn completed final season in seventh and have fairly clearly kicked on from then. sixth place and  one in all 4 groups only a level from 2nd, Paderborn are nicely within the combine for computerized promotion this season. The squad might not have many recognisable names when taking a look at different 2. Bundesliga golf equipment, nonetheless, they’ve recruited nicely and are enjoying good soccer. Paderborn have been stable at house and much more spectacular away from house having solely misplaced as soon as on their travels. They haven’t had the perfect of data towards these round them and that’ll be key because the season involves a detailed. To this point, a powerful marketing campaign for Paderborn who’re mixing it with the so-called huge boys of the two. Bundesliga. 

Hannover 96

Present place: seventh

Present prime goalscorer: Nicolo Tresoldi (4)

Grade: C

Hannover are inside two factors of the promotion locations, so all they would wish is an efficient begin to the 12 months and they’d be within the prime three. Regardless of this, this was not ok for Die Roten and so they sacked Stefan Leitl changing him with former head coach and participant Andre Bretenreiter. Breitenreiter has expertise successful promotion as he led Paderborn to their first-ever season within the Bundesliga in addition to serving to Hannover again into the Bundesliga in 2017. Hannover must hope this gamble pays off, as if it doesn’t it is going to be one other lengthy summer season with star striker Nicolo Tresolid more likely to depart.

Fortuna Düsseldorf

Present place: eighth 

Present prime goalscorer: Isak Bergmann Johannesson (6)

Grade: C

Fortuna Düsseldorf are able to sneaking into third place on the finish of the season however like many round them it’s consistency that’s harming their possibilities. Düsseldorf are a staff which might be able to successful 5-0 and two weeks later dropping 5-2, simply as they did earlier than the tip of 2024. Düsseldorf went on a dreadful run on the tail-end of October and didn’t win one other recreation till early December. Up till then, they have been trying like one of many prime candidates for computerized promotion. Going into the rückrunde, the squad must channel the shape they confirmed earlier within the season. To this point, it’s been a rollercoaster of a season and it’s displaying no indicators of slowing down for Düsseldorf. Buckle up! 

Kaiserslautern

Present place: ninth

Present prime goalscorer: Ragnar Ache (9)  

Grade: C

You win some, you lose some; that’s been Kaiserlautern’s season to date. FCK are a staff that may play out a boring goalless draw towards Regensburg earlier than enjoying out an exhilarating 4-3 victory towards Düsseldorf. Simply on the outskirts of the chasing pack, it stays to be seen whether or not Kaiserslautern have the legs to maintain up with the remainder of them. They begin 2025 with a run of three video games they need to be anticipated to win (on paper a minimum of).  If they’ll get seven factors for his or her opening 9, FCK’s season may spark into life. One other staff to maintain your eye on, significantly within the early months of 2025. 

Darmstadt 

Present place: tenth

Present prime goalscorer: Isac Lindberg (9)

Grade: C

Issues may have been quite a bit worse for Darmstadt of their return to the two.Bundesliga. In September the membership have been languishing across the relegation zone and appeared like they have been going to repeat Arminia Bielefeld with a back-to-back relegation. Nevertheless, they’d sack Torsten Lieberknecht and change him with Florian Kohfeldt. Since taking up ‘FloKo’ has solely misplaced twice (a 2-1 loss to backside Jahn Regensburg on the ultimate matchday earlier than the winter break and his second recreation in cost towards Magdeburg), away from these losses Darmstadt have thrown the cat amongst the pigeons for groups chasing promotion with huge wins towards Köln and Kaiserslautern whereas additionally taking factors off of Karlsruhe and Hamburg in attracts. The spotlight of Darmstadt’s season to date has been their 5-3 win towards Schalke in Kohfeldt’s first recreation in cost after they have been 3-0 down at half-time. Darmstadt are solely 4 factors off of promotion, so it isn’t out of the query however they’ll positively be out to trigger bother as soon as once more for promotion chasers.  

1.FC Nürnberg

Present place: eleventh

Present prime goalscorer: Stefanos Tzimas (8)

Grade: C-

Common is one of the simplest ways to explain Nürnberg in the intervening time. Nevertheless, it isn’t all doom and gloom for Die Membership as they solely discover themselves six factors off of a promotion spot all whereas having the youngest squad within the league. Led by legendary German striker Miroslav Klose the likes of Finn Jeltsch, Berkay Yilmaz, Casper Jander, Jens Castrop and Stefanos Tzimas have all performed necessary roles for Nürnberg this season. The younger supervisor and younger staff combo will doubtless not work within the first season (as seen with Dino Toppmöller at Eintracht Frankfurt) however Nürnberg can proceed to make use of this season to develop collectively as a staff. The one draw back is that they’ll lose their greatest participant in the summertime as soon as once more with Tzimas set to go away the staff after they activate his €18m purchase choice and promote him for revenue. With the cash, Nürnberg can construct a squad ok for promotion.

Hertha Berlin

Present place: twelfth

Present prime goalscorer: Florian Niederlechner (5)

Grade: C- 

Roughly mid-table on 22 factors and a purpose distinction of 0, it’s been a irritating watch at occasions for Hertha followers to date this season. The membership have been hoping to push on this season and be in with the combination for promotion however it hasn’t fairly materialised as of but. Kind has been an enormous difficulty with Hertha successful just a few earlier than going winless for a few matches. Having misplaced their final three matches earlier than the tip of the 12 months, Hertha’s job of pushing for promotion is trying extra distant. Nevertheless, the squad are able to doing simply that and in a league which is so shut, all it takes is a run of 4 fixtures and Hertha could possibly be proper up there once more. Hertha could possibly be one to look at for a late push within the second half of the season. Total, it hasn’t been nice to date however Hertha’s season is way from over. 

Schalke 04

Present place: thirteenth

Present prime goalscorer: Moussa Sylla (11)

Grade: D

Drama isn’t far-off from the Veltins Enviornment these days, however most of is is occurring off the pitch. On it, Schalke appears to be like nearer to three.Liga degree than Bundesliga degree and consistently depend on Moussa Sylla (11) and Kenan Karaman (10) for his or her objectives. Supervisor Kees van Wonderen claims he isn’t Harry Potter in terms of serving to the membership, however die Konigsblau want greater than a magician to assist them have any likelihood of returning to the Bundesliga. Their monetary points off the pitch put restrictions on who they’ll signal and rent, and the truth that there are rumours of promoting Sylla within the winter to assist ease these points exhibits the state Schalke are presently in. They are going to want a miracle to even attempt to problem for promotion this season and it wouldn’t be unlikely in the event that they finish the season with a distinct supervisor as they put together for an additional 12 months within the second division. 

Greuther Fürth

Present place: 14th

Present prime goalscorer: Noel Futkeu (7)  

Grade: C-

Having completed eighth final season, this isn’t precisely the place Greuther Fürth need to be going into the rückrunde. Presently on 20 factors, Fürth shall be nervously trying behind them somewhat than up until they’ll pull consecutive wins collectively. The staff went on a dreadful run in November earlier than successful towards Hertha and Hannover which has made their league place barely higher. Their house and away document is sort of an identical and it’s clear that Fürth are able to placing in a efficiency towards some prime groups. They don’t have the power to push for promotion however must be ok to keep away from a relegation scrap. 

Preußen Münster

Present place: fifteenth

Present prime goalscorer: Joshua Mees (4)

Grade: C+ 

Having received back-to-back promotions, Münster have catapulted themselves into one hell of a division towards a few of Germany’s most historic and conventional golf equipment. fifteenth heading into the brand new 12 months is a implausible achievement for the membership. The purpose for the season is to outlive and that’s precisely what they’re doing to date. They’re three factors forward of computerized relegation and 4 factors from 14th. Münster’s purpose within the new 12 months shall be to shut the hole on these above them while protecting their noses in entrance of the chasing pack behind them. Münster are a low scoring facet (18) however on the similar time don’t concede many (23). They’ve had some memorable victories towards Hertha Berlin and Düsseldorf however might want to get extra towards the groups round them. Münster’s season hangs within the stability however they’re doing all they’ll to outlive. 

SSV Ulm

Present place: sixteenth 

Present prime goalscorer: Semir Telalović (5)

Grade: C-

Ulm are precisely the place you’d count on them to be having simply come up from the three. Liga. They knew they’d be preventing for survival and the truth that they’re not backside and two factors from security, they’ll be considerably content material with that to date. Ulm have turn out to be masters of the draw lately having shared the spoils in 4 of their final 5 league matches. It’s a very good signal if they’ll see out video games towards the likes of Hertha and HSV however they’ll nonetheless want to show some video games from one level to all three in the event that they need to survive. That’s the massive job within the rückrunde for Ulm. 

Eintracht Braunschweig

Present place: seventeenth

Present prime goalscorer: Rayan Philippe (9) 

Grade: D

It’s one other season of battling for survival at Braunschweig having simply averted the drop of their final marketing campaign. Going into the brand new 12 months, the facet have misplaced their final three and failed to attain of their earlier 4; throughout this time they’ve additionally conceded 9 objectives. Merely put, Braunschweig can’t rating objectives and may’t hold them out. They’ve a poor document towards the groups round them however often pull the rabbit out the hat and someway beat Hamburg, Hannover, and Greuther Fürth at house. High goalscorer Rayan Phillippe is answerable for 56% of all Braunschweig’s objectives this marketing campaign. You concern that ought to he get injured, the membership would discover themselves within the third division subsequent time period. 

Jahn Regensburg

Present place: 18th 

Present prime goalscorer: Kai Pröger (2) 

Grade: D- 

It’s been a depressing hinrunde for Regensburg who at the moment are odds on to go straight again down into the third tier. Their season already appeared useless and buried after they misplaced 8-3 away at Nürnberg again in late October. This prompted the supervisor to be sacked and for Andreas Patz to come back in. Remarkably, Regensburg went on to win their subsequent two in all competitions and completed 2024 with a win at house to Darmstadt. They’ve been by means of some powerful moments this season however avoiding relegation remains to be attainable. They’re three factors from Ulm in sixteenth and play them in late January. Is the nice escape on for Regensburg?

GGFN |  &